Assistant Manager- Crawley

Hobbycraft; Crawley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading craft retailer in Crawley is seeking an Assistant Manager to oversee store operations. The role involves leading a team, ensuring exceptional customer service, and managing daily activities in the absence of the Store Manager. Applicants should have supervisory experience, be passionate about driving sales, and possess strong leadership skills. Hobbycraft offers a dynamic work environment and excellent employee benefits including holiday, discounts, and support programs.

Benefits

33 days holiday including bank holidays

40% colleague discount

Cycle2Work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Annual paid-for charity volunteer day

Day off to celebrate your birthday

Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in a retail environment is essential.
• Deputy or Assistant Management experience is advantageous.
• Keyholding and cash handling experience is necessary.
• Effective time management and determination to inspire success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the store operations and performance.
• Provide inspirational leadership and drive outstanding customer service.
• Co-ordinate deliveries, range reviews, and promotional setups.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and health regulations.
• Conduct various in-store workshops and train colleagues.

Skills

Organisation and planning

Decision making

Interpersonal and communication skills

Excellent customer service

Adaptability

Commercial awareness

Brand ambassador

Self-motivated

Job description

The vacancy

Assistant Manager - Crawley

39 hours per week

Salary £30,000- 40,000 per year

As an Assistant Manager at Hobbycraft, you control all aspects of the Store Operation and performance within the store. As a valued member of the Leadership team in one of our Flagship Stores, you will work alongside the Store Manager to deliver a truly customer‑focused experience and will excel at building and developing efficient, effective, high‑performing teams through living our brand values. In the absence of the Store Manager, you will be accountable for the running of the store.

WHY HOBBYCRAFT?

• Previously voted one of the Top 5 Best Companies in the UK by our own colleagues
• We’re a forward‑thinking, diverse team and are 100% committed to what we do
• We have a reputation to shout about, exceeding customer expectations first time, every time

Company Benefits

• 33 days holiday including bank holidays pro rata, growing with you during your time with us
• 40% colleague discount
• Long service awards to thank you for your time spent with us
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Fun event days to fundraise for our charity partners
• Annual paid‑for charity volunteer day
• Day off to celebrate your birthday
• Employee Support Programme for overall wellbeing for you and your family, including financial advice
• Enrolment in a Nest pension scheme
• Access to a range of high street discounts
• An inclusive and creative working environment, so you can truly be yourself and enjoy your time at work

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Inspirational leadership – you will lead by example, appreciate the team’s hard work and recognise talent, driving outstanding customer service
• Brand ambassador – you will be passionate about the Hobbycraft brand, recognising and approaching change in a positive and proactive way. You will live and breathe our values, and ensure your team are engaged to do the same
• Planner – You will ensure the store is set for a successful day of trade
• Relationship builder – you will ensure everyone is always treated fairly and with dignity and respect, adhering to our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging policy to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all
• Merchandiser – You will be required to co‑ordinate the working of deliveries, range reviews and promotional setups, so manual handling is an essential part of the role
• Policy expert – you will ensure compliance from the team with Company policies and Health and Safety Regulations ensuring the store remains a safe and legal place to work
• Communicator – you will deliver clear and concise communications, such as key messages and daily targets, so the team understand the expectations and how to deliver them
• Workshops – you will be required to host various workshops in‑store and train colleagues on workshop delivery
• Store Management – you will support the Store Manager in the day‑to‑day management of the store and will be responsible for the running of the store in the Store Manager’s absence. Your responsibilities will also include but will not be limited to: being a keyholder, responsible for opening and closing the store and attending alarm callouts if required, cash controls, PI counts, general admin, back of house access, general store and colleague security, all data compliance (e.g. payroll, recruitment, personal data)
• Recruitment – you will assist the Store Manager to build a high‑performing team through the recruitment, induction and training of new colleagues
• Colleague Support – you will provide performance management, support and coaching for colleagues where appropriate

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• A proven track record of the following in a retail or similar environment:
  • Supervisory experience is essential
  • Deputy or Assistant Management experience is advantageous
  • Passionate about sales and driving profit
  • Keyholding
  • Cash handling and security awareness
  • Coaching colleagues
  • Merchandising experience
  • Health and safety compliance
  • Awareness of store key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Effective time management
• Determination to inspire success within your team

Skills

• Organisation and planning
• Decision making
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent customer service
• Adaptability
• Commercial awareness
• Brand ambassador
• Self‑motivated

JOB SUITABILITY

This role would suit a current Assistant or Deputy Manager in a Retail, or similar, environment, or an experienced Team Leader looking to progress on the management pathway. The candidate should be a confident and professional individual, who is able to support and lead the management of a diverse team in a fast‑paced environment; someone who is calm and resilient, able to work well under pressure and cope with changing priorities.

Please note, this job description is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time in line with relevant Company changes.

Due to the volume of applications we are receiving we may need to close the vacancy prior to the expiry date.

We are completely committed to supporting anyone with a disability in applying for our vacancies. If you have a disability and require support throughout our recruitment process, you can contact us at [e-mail] and let us know what adjustments you may need.

At Hobbycraft we celebrate the joy of crafting, and we celebrate all of our colleagues and customers. As a retailer we have a diverse colleague base from a broad range of all communities. Our colleagues are recruited for their skill, passion, love of craft and customer service, which is also reflected in our customer base. It is this skill and love of crafting which defines them. Hobbycraft, is an equal opportunity employer who takes equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging very seriously, we regularly review our policies and practices to ensure not only compliance, but also best practise from an employment perspective.

Hobbycraft are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to equal and fair treatment for all colleagues or potential colleagues irrespective of race, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origins, religion or belief, disability, age, gender, marital or family status.

About Us

We’re here to help you create. Our passion for craft is at the centre of everything we do. This is reflected in our creative and knowledgeable Hobbycraft store colleagues, who are always on hand to help, and our vast, carefully selected range of quality products. Throughout the year, we also host a variety of workshops and demos in stores and online, designed to give everyone the opportunity to master a new craft or refine a beloved one.

We’re here to support everyone on their crafting journey, from parents looking to encourage their creative kids, to student artists, expert knitters, model‑making hobbyists and more! Why not come into your local Hobbycraft store today and find the perfect craft for you?

What's Needed

• Customer service
• Creative
• Knowledgeable

Documents

Documents are required as part of the application process.